Sermon Illustration: "The Time Is Now!"
Biblical Text:
2 Corinthians 6:2 (NIV) - "For he says, 'In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation."
Illustration
Imagine a small town with a clock tower in the center. This clock tower has been there for generations, and it has always kept perfect time—until recently. The townspeople notice that the clock has stopped working. They can only guess what time it is based on the sun's position, but uncertainty lingers in the air. Meetings are starting late, and people are missing appointments.
One day, a young man comes into town—a watchmaker by trade. The townspeople gather around the clock tower, curious about how he will fix it. He examines the clock and announces that he can repair it, but he needs everyone’s cooperation. He asks for their patience and suggests they read the time from the sun until the work is done.
As he works, he shares stories of how precious time is and how important it is to take action when it's offered. He explains that often, we wait for the "perfect" moment to act, but many opportunities do not come back around. He reminds them of the urgency of now—of the moments they've been missing by allowing the clock to remain broken.
Days pass, and finally, the watchmaker finishes his task. The clock chimes, loud and clear, and the townspeople cheer! They have their clock back, and life returns to normal. But more importantly, they learned an invaluable lesson: the importance of acting in the present.
Application to the Sermon:
In 2 Corinthians 6:2, Paul emphasizes that "now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." Just as the townspeople waited too long for the clock to work again, many of us delay moments of decision, thinking we have all the time in the world. However, just like that broken clock, every moment is an opportunity for action.
Are you waiting for a "better time" to seek reconciliation in your relationships? Are you postponing your commitment to serve, to share your faith, or to deepen your relationship with God? The lesson here is clear: “the time is now”.
Let this be a reminder that God is calling us to seize the moment, to act in faith, and to trust in His perfect timing. Just like the watchmaker who restored the clock, God desires to restore the moments in our lives, but it requires our willingness to embrace the present. So don't wait for tomorrow—“the time is now!”